Serious about Revis?

Jim Wexell

03/21/2007

The Steelers liked what they saw from cornerback Darrelle Revis at Pitt's pro day last Friday. In fact, they liked him so much they'll be hosting Revis on an official visit. But are the Steelers serious about him?

Mike, I just heard from the personnel department that you're bringing a Darrelle Revis in for an official visit.

Yes, sir.

I presume this visit is simply a courtesy you're providing for the guys next door.

Uh, no, sir. This is the real deal. We're providing a courtesy by bringing Tyler Palko on, but we consider Darrelle Revis a legitimate draft pick.

In the second round?

No, Mr. Rooney. I like him in the first.

Well, now, that's what I was afraid of, Mike. See, we have five cornerbacks already. Granted, one of them is our special-teams gunner, but the other four, I believe, are certainly qualified to remain on this roster. We just gave two of them nice free-agent contracts last year, and the other two are second-round draft picks.

With all due respect, sir, those free-agent contracts are far from commensurate with the top-flight cornerbacks around the league. The more expensive one, Ike Taylor, was only given a $6.5 million bonus. That might pay for Nate Clements's chauffer. It's a very expensive position.

Well, Mike, we also just gave Mr. Taylor a $1.45 million roster bonus just last week. That contract isn't as cheap as you might think.

Um, sir, may I have permission to speak freely?

Sure, Mike, by all means. You'll come to realize that we're a family here and harsh, brutal words oftentimes produce the best results.

Thank you, sir. As you know, I've been watching a lot of film lately, and frankly these cornerbacks just aren't championship caliber cornerbacks. The two starters are serviceable, yes, and Bryant McFadden, he could develop into a No. 1, but I believe Darrelle Revis is a legitimate No. 1, a guy you can win championships with.

I watched Pitt this year and I really couldn't form an opinion on him. Why do you like him?

Well, he plays the ball – he goes and gets it. And he has that magic about him – that Ty Law magic. When it's all on the line, he's the kind of guy who's going to make a game-changing play. I've seen those guys, and I just feel it in my gut that he's one of them. And, really, the reason you didn't see much of him last year is that opposing coaches sense that magic, too. He only saw 10, 15 passes all year. He got beat once, and even then he reached out and grabbed the guy. It was pass interference instead of a touchdown, and then his team blocked the field goal. The man is smart, and he has nice size and is physical against the run. He can also return punts if we need him to.

Mike, we have a scout working here, a Mr. Bill Nunn. Maybe you've heard of him. I'm sure you have. But he tells me that judging cornerbacks is the most difficult job in scouting.

Yes, I know Mr. Nunn. And yes, he's right about that. But he also likes to say – I've talked to him about this very subject – but he also likes to say that a cornerback's workout is the only workout that really matters. That if you get a player with the raw tools, you can teach him the position. And, sir, Darrelle Revis has those raw tools. We timed him over on that field turf – you know, that spongy practice grass you – we – have over there across the parking lot. And he ran under 4.4 – twice. And he jumped almost 39 inches and he ran his three-cone in 6.56. I don't know if you're aware of the three-cone drill, but it's a good indicator of shiftiness, of the cat-like movements required of the position, and his time is out of this world.

Yes, I'm aware of the three-cone drill. To let you in on a secret, Mike, I'm a closet draft freak, so I'm quite aware. Anyway, you're making a good case. But tell me this: Can he play right away for us?

Well, that's asking an awful lot. I think he could very well be the third cornerback, and eventually, I believe he'll be better than everyone you have at the position. And our No. 3's getting up there in age anyway.

Mike, see, that's the problem, and that's why I asked you to come in today. With the 15th pick of the draft, I want someone to play right away, someone who can help put us over the top. Don't we have a few holes that need filled?

Yes, sir. I'm sure you're aware that we could use a pass-rusher to replace Joey Porter, and we also need a right guard in case Kendall Simmons wins the center job. And even if he loses out to Sean Mahan, I believe someone could push Kendall for the guard spot, and I really don't think that someone is on the roster.

As you know, both guards are entering the final seasons of their contracts, and as you might know we're not making much progress extending Alan Faneca.

But, sir, there isn't a guard worth drafting with the 15th pick.

Well, what about a pass-rusher?

No, sir. There's not a pass-rusher worth drafting 15th either. The only guy who would help us if he fell for some reason is Gaines Adams, and he's not going to fall. Sir, the only intelligent thing to do, to fill one of our two holes, would be to trade down.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNo, Mr. Rooney. I like him in the first. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

Well, now, that's what I was afraid of, Mike. See, we have five cornerbacks already. Granted, one of them is our special-teams gunner, but the other four, I believe, are certainly qualified to remain on this roster. We just gave two of them nice free-agent contracts last year, and the other two are second-round draft picks.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWith all due respect, sir, those free-agent contracts are far from commensurate with the top-flight cornerbacks around the league. The more expensive one, Ike Taylor, was only given a $6.5 million bonus. That might pay for Nate Clements's chauffer. It's a very expensive position. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

Well, Mike, we also just gave Mr. Taylor a $1.45 million roster bonus just last week. That contract isn't as cheap as you might think.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nUm, sir, may I have permission to speak freely? \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

Sure, Mike, by all means. You'll come to realize that we're a family here and harsh, brutal words oftentimes produce the best results.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThank you, sir. As you know, I've been watching a lot of film lately, and frankly these cornerbacks just aren't championship caliber cornerbacks. The two starters are serviceable, yes, and Bryant McFadden, he could develop into a No. 1, but I believe Darrelle Revis is a legitimate No. 1, a guy you can win championships with. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

I watched Pitt this year and I really couldn't form an opinion on him. Why do you like him?

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWell, he plays the ball – he goes and gets it. And he has that magic about him – that Ty Law magic. When it's all on the line, he's the kind of guy who's going to make a game-changing play. I've seen those guys, and I just feel it in my gut that he's one of them. And, really, the reason you didn't see much of him last year is that opposing coaches sense that magic, too. He only saw 10, 15 passes all year. He got beat once, and even then he reached out and grabbed the guy. It was pass interference instead of a touchdown, and then his team blocked the field goal. The man is smart, and he has nice size and is physical against the run. He can also return punts if we need him to. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

Mike, we have a scout working here, a Mr. Bill Nunn. Maybe you've heard of him. I'm sure you have. But he tells me that judging cornerbacks is the most difficult job in scouting.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nYes, I know Mr. Nunn. And yes, he's right about that. But he also likes to say – I've talked to him about this very subject – but he also likes to say that a cornerback's workout is the only workout that really matters. That if you get a player with the raw tools, you can teach him the position. And, sir, Darrelle Revis has those raw tools. We timed him over on that field turf – you know, that spongy practice grass you – we – have over there across the parking lot. And he ran under 4.4 – twice. And he jumped almost 39 inches and he ran his three-cone in 6.56. I don't know if you're aware of the three-cone drill, but it's a good indicator of shiftiness, of the cat-like movements required of the position, and his time is out of this world. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

Yes, I'm aware of the three-cone drill. To let you in on a secret, Mike, I'm a closet draft freak, so I'm quite aware. Anyway, you're making a good case. But tell me this: Can he play right away for us?

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWell, that's asking an awful lot. I think he could very well be the third cornerback, and eventually, I believe he'll be better than everyone you have at the position. And our No. 3's getting up there in age anyway. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

Mike, see, that's the problem, and that's why I asked you to come in today. With the 15th pick of the draft, I want someone to play right away, someone who can help put us over the top. Don't we have a few holes that need filled?

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nYes, sir. I'm sure you're aware that we could use a pass-rusher to replace Joey Porter, and we also need a right guard in case Kendall Simmons wins the center job. And even if he loses out to Sean Mahan, I believe someone could push Kendall for the guard spot, and I really don't think that someone is on the roster. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

As you know, both guards are entering the final seasons of their contracts, and as you might know we're not making much progress extending Alan Faneca.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNo, sir. There's not a pass-rusher worth drafting 15th either. The only guy who would help us if he fell for some reason is Gaines Adams, and he's not going to fall. Sir, the only intelligent thing to do, to fill one of our two holes, would be to trade down. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n